Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 97127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Reena reached for her hand. “You need a good, solid meal before you meet Decimus.”
“You intend to scheme with Mary,” Magnus accused his wife and sent her a warning look that would make most men tremble. Not so with Reena.
“I want to get to know Mary better, and I am certain she would be interested in my mapmaking skills.”
“You are a mapmaker?” Mary asked with excitement.
“See, husband. She is interested.”
“And what maps have you already drawn for her, wife?”
“None yet.”
“I knew it,” Magnus said with an accusatory shake of his finger.
“Mary needs to be prepared.”
“To get herself killed?” Magnus asked, keeping his voice low though firm. “I warned you about interfering, Reena.”
“This is true, but you said nothing of helping her.”
Mary laughed.
“Do not encourage her,” Magnus snapped.
“I do not think she needs encouragement,” Mary said.
“Nay, she is stubborn enough not to need it,” Magnus said.
“It is understandable that he worries over your safety,” Mary said in defense of Magnus.
“He will always protect me, so I have no need to worry.”
“Did you not suffer in my own dungeon?” he asked, wiping the smudge from her cheek.
“You rescued me,” she said with pride. “And”—she held up a finger to make an important point—“you forever wipe smudges off my face.”
Mary laughed softly and was about to comment on how perfectly suited they were for each other when her eyes caught sight of a man at the far end of the great hall. He leaned against the table on the dais, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared.
“Decimus,” she whispered.
Chapter 20
Magnus’s protective instincts had him moving to step in front of Mary, but his wife’s hand held him firm.
“She will face him with courage,” Reena whispered to her husband, and they both moved aside.
Mary approached Decimus with her head held high, though her legs trembled. He intimidated even with the distance that separated them. He was taller than she had thought him to be and his features were dark, his black hair lustrous. His garments were rich in texture and in colors that befitted royalty, gold and red. He looked fit, in fine shape for a man who did nothing but condemn and torture.
He remained braced against the edge of the table in an arrogant stance, as though annoyed that he had to wait for her approach. The closer she got the more she realized that it was his eyes that held the most power; dark and menacing, cold and calculating, a heartless man devoid of a soul.
“Do you intend to keep me waiting all day?”
His voice was strong, filling the great hall with a thunderous rumble.
Mary did not hasten her step, she could not, her legs trembled far too much; she felt lucky she was able to remain upright. To others she appeared confident and proud, and she intended to keep it that way. No one knew of her trepidation.
She stopped a few feet in front of him. “I am Mary, you requested my presence.”
Decimus assessed her with a cold stare, rubbed his chin, then shook his head as if he found her lacking in some way.
Mary chose silence, knowing her tongue would only get her into trouble.
He straightened. “I thought you might find my proposal acceptable.”
“You gave me little choice.”
“I was generous in my offer,” he said.
Mary shrugged. “That is a matter of opinion.”
He lunged at her, causing her to jump back. He halted only inches in front of her. “I will teach you obedience, and you will learn.”
“As you say,” she said with a curt bow of her head.
“Docile so soon.” He frowned and circled her. “You think me a fool?”
“I do not know you, sir, therefore I cannot say for certain.”
He leaned in close to her. “Watch your tongue, Mary, I can easily have it removed.”
He summoned Magnus with a snap of his hand. “Have her cleaned up and brought to my bedchamber. She looks a sight covered with dirt and grime.”
“I cannot send Mary to your bedchamber,” Magnus said adamantly. “It is not proper.
“You challenge my authority?”
“Your intentions,” Magnus said.
Decimus looked ready to spew forth his anger.
Reena sought to quell tempers. “Perhaps the solar would do.”
Decimus gave a quick nod, then turned to Mary. “When you are made more presentable, we will talk.”
He strode off, sniffing the air with disgust as he passed Mary.
Reena walked up behind her husband and waited until Decimus left the hall to say, “That is one way to keep him away from you, remain disheveled.”
“A good thought,” Mary said. “Though I expected him to demand more from me.”
“Give him time,” Magnus warned. “He does nothing without purpose.”
“Come with me,” Reena said. “I will see to a bath and clean garments for you.”
Mary looked to Magnus before following Reena. “Has Decimus made mention of when he intends for the wedding to take place?”
He shook his head. “I am sure he will speak to you of it soon.” He squeezed her arm gently. “Go eat and wash up and do not rush. Decimus will wait.”